Sporting and technical director Nicky Hammond has opened up on the fine balance West Brom, as well as a many number of other clubs, had to strike in the most difficult of transfer windows.

In a market where players were being sold for a little under £200m - a figure that would otherwise be enough to secure you an entire club - Albion maneuvered and negotiated and can be pleased with their haul.

They secured two loans, two further Premier League-experienced additions in Gareth Barry and Kieran Gibbs for reasonable fees and spent the bulk of their budget in improving their front-line with the captures of Jay Rodriguez and Oliver Burke.

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“This is where you have to have a sensible approach and be proactive and creative rather than panicky and reactive.

“Only then can you deliver what the club needs and what the head coach wants. Tony understands value and he demands we bring in players who understand the DNA that he has created here.

“He has had to fight for success throughout his career and, because of his upbringing, like a lot of us at the club, he emphasises the fact that hard work is just as important as talent.

“Without talent the team can’t grow. Without hard work, consistent success is often elusive.

Nicky Hammond

“There were players we looked at and quite frankly, the prices being quoted were way beyond what we saw as value.

“You have to recognise the way the market is, there are times when you have to be prepared to pay a premium, but you have to keep some sense of reality and be mindful of the long-term future of the club.”

You can read the full interview with Hammond in Albion News, the Baggies’ official match-day programme, which will be on sale in and around the ground for £3.50 on Saturday.